Merry Christmas to you!! In an effort to move into the 21st century, our Christmas letter is being posted to our blog. Hope you enjoy!2009 has been a busy year as Anastassia continues to keep us busy and Mike and Jennifer try to continue to be active.
Jennifer's parents bought a house near us in Cumming in December 2008. They spent 2009 moving to GA so we had frequent visits and a welcome babysitter. They completed their move in June and are gradually becoming southerns.
Mike started a new job for Carel in March and has enjoyed the increased travel and new job responsibilities. Jennifer is still at Atlanta Spine Institute Rehab as a director/physical therapist. Anastassia spends her days at Oak Grove Academy in the Junior toddler room where she has excelled at finger painting, eating with utensils and learning to talk. Her newest words are "mine", "no", "more", "thank you" and signing "please". We have been told by her teachers she is very smart (I'm sure we are the only parents they tell that ; ) )
We continue to do road races with Anastassia in tow and returned to Charleston in April with the McGees for the Cooper River 10K. We completed the Peachtree Road Race 10K in Atlanta on July 4th and challenged ourselves with a 15K in Utica, NY in July while visiting Mike's parents. Anastassia sat this one out and spent time with her Babscia and Ja-Ja so that Jennifer and Mike could finish the race. We enjoy the challenge of running but really only do it to stay in shape so we can continue to eat and drink like we don't care!
The Fall was busy with visits from Jennifer's siblings and families. Julie and Justin and families visited in October and spent Halloween with us. Janelle and family were in GA for Thanksgiving. Zaidy and Anastassia saw Santa together which didn't make Anastassia like it any better.
Mike's parents came for an early Christmas in December and again traveled with us to Savannah for the 10K bridge run. Once hearing they were going to be in Watertown by themselves for Christmas, we arranged for an early Christmas present and are having them join us for the holiday. We are sure Christmas will be very exciting this year for Anastassia. She is amazed by all the lights, the traditional Christmas specials of Frosty and Rudolph and is trying to understand this Santa person.
Below are a few photos highlighting 2009.
We hope your holiday season is filled with fun and wish everyone a happy 2010.
Jennifer, Mike and Anastassia St. Joseph
jennifermikesaint@comcast.net
January - 8 months old
February - loving my hat
Easter in her bunny ears
May - Anastassia's 1st Birthday
June - Anastassia's 1st baseball game - Yankees -vs- Braves
July - Enjoying the pool
August - Hilton Head
Sept - playing in puddles
Halloween
Wiggles concert
First attempt at Santa with cousin Zaidy
(Anastassia is not a fan yet)
Anastassia with all 5 of her babies
Christmas Eve 2009
Watching "Frosty the Snowman" for the millionth time
The grand entrance - Christmas 2009
The paparazzi awaits!
Checking out what santa left
Family pic - Anastassia was already getting overwhelmed
Checking out the camel from the Little People Zoo
All the ladies in our matching PJs
Taking a time out from opening presents -
Literally getting into opening her presents
Resting with her zoo animals in her tutu
Babscia and Ja-Ja Saint
Riding my rocking horse
Our gift from mother nature -
Base of the up-rooted tree
view from the top of the tree -
raincoat and boots for playing in puddles
Anastassia's first Vera Bradley purse -
Rocking her babies
Grandma and grandpa Neroda
Babscia and Ja-Ja
Relaxing on Christmas night with her glass of "wine"
Carousel at the mall
Checking out the snowman
Playing in her tent
